On the Parts of the Soul · §2 · John of Damascus

The appetitive part divided into divine, natural, and fleshly

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John of Damascus continues his summary of the soul's parts, now subdividing the appetitive part into three kinds of love.

This appetitive part is itself divided into three: divine, natural, and a middle, fleshly kind, which is the diabolical. The divine kind is loving God; the natural kind is loving what is according to nature; and the fleshly kind is loving what is contrary to nature. For example, marriage is according to nature, while fornication and things like it are contrary to nature. In another I found.

Greek

Τοῦτο δὲ τὸ ἐπιθυμητικὸν διαιρεῖται εἰς τρία· εἰς

θεϊκὸν, φυσικὸν, καὶ μέσον τὸ σαρκικὸν, ὅπερ ἐστὶ τὸ διαβολικόν. Θεϊκὸν μὲν, τὸ

ἀγαπᾷν τὸν Θεόν· φυσικὸν δὲ, τὸ ἀγαπᾷν τὰ κατὰ φύσιν· σαρκικὸν δὲ τὸ ἀγαπᾷν τὰ

παρὰ φύσιν· οἷον, κατὰ φύσιν μὲν ὁ γάμος· παρὰ φύσιν δὲ, ἡ πορνεία, καὶ τὰ τοιαῦτα.

Ἐν ἄλλῳ εὗρον.

About this text

John of Damascus's short outline of the soul: its three parts, the four virtues, three kinds of love, and five powers from intellect to sense.

John of Damascus wrote this brief doctrinal summary of the soul's parts, virtues, law, and faculties. It appears to have been compiled for instruction or reference rather than addressed to a particular person.

The treatise presents the soul as having three parts: the appetitive part, the spirited part, and the rational part. The law is described as threefold: natural, written, and spiritual in grace.

The soul also has five powers: intellect, discursive thought, opinion, imagination, and sense perception.

Printed text used

Translated from PG 94-96; De partibus animae (Greek)

This work has passed this project's source check. This is an AI-assisted study translation. Source fidelity and completeness have not been independently certified. Open Greek on each section for the source text. This is not a complete critical edition.